It is still unclear who the new US President Trump will bring into the new US government. But he no longer wants to involve two old companions. The handover of US official duties begins at a meeting with incumbent Biden.
The transition of power in the White House is a complex undertaking. As US President-elect Donald Trump sets up his new government team in the coming weeks, he and his team will be continuously briefed on the day-to-day operations of government headquarters, ministries and agencies to ensure a smooth transition.
Biden and Trump will meet next week
The election winner wants to meet the Democratic incumbent Joe Biden next week. The White House said Biden would host Trump in the Oval Office on Wednesday. The meeting is one of the rare direct encounters between Biden and Trump. The two last faced each other on stage at the end of June during a television debate during the election campaign.
Biden had called Trump shortly after the election, congratulated him on his victory and invited him to the White House. Former US President Barack Obama also welcomed Trump to government headquarters after his first election victory in 2016. This is part of the usual way of dealing with a change of power in the USA. Trump, however, moved away from such conventions in 2020.
The Republican ran against Biden in that election and lost. But he has not admitted defeat to this day. After his failure, Trump not only did not invite Biden to the White House, but also stayed away from his inauguration.
Pompeo and Haley not part of the new Trump team
It is not yet clear who will be part of the new government team. So far, Trump has only named his chief of staff in the White House, Susie Wiles.
He now commented on two personal details, but ruled out collaboration. Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley are not expected to take up positions. Trump said he would not “invite” both of them to his cabinet in the online network Truth Social, which he founded. “I have enjoyed and appreciated working with them previously and would like to thank them for their service to our country,” he continued.
Pompeo and Haley were key members of Trump's administration during his first term in office from 2017 to 2021. Haley initially ran as Trump's most promising opponent in the Republican presidential primaries – but expressed her support for Trump after her withdrawal. Pompeo had been considered for the post of defense secretary.
Different Views on Ukraine
Last summer, the former CIA chief presented a plan for military support for Ukraine against Russia's war of aggression. Among other things, this provided for more arms exports and tough measures against the Russian energy sector. Pompeo's ideas were in clear contrast to Trump's statements during the election campaign, who had repeatedly expressed criticism of arms deliveries to Ukraine.
Trump takes office on January 20th. By then he is expected to announce the filling of the most important positions in his government team. Many of his high-ranking employees from his first term in office are no longer eligible because they fell out with Trump.
Trump also wins in Arizona
It is now clear that Trump also won in Arizona and thus in all so-called swing states. Seven states were considered decisive in this year's presidential election: Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin, North Carolina, Georgia, Nevada and Arizona. Four years ago, Biden won these states with the exception of North Carolina.
